Anaytical Essay​ About A Topic That Builds Upon Issues

WRITING YOUR ESSAY

STRUCTURE

SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTION The period of the 1950s and -60s represented the Cold War and saw developments in the kind of objects made for domestic use. Using examples from American and Soviet design history, explore how these objects reflect the respective ideologies and values that belonged to their makers.

The period of the 1950s and -60s represented the Cold War and saw developments in the kind of objects made for domestic use. Using examples from American and Soviet design history, explore how these objects reflect the respective ideologies and values that belonged to their makers.

CONSOLIDATE YOUR RESEARCH TAKE A CRITICAL VIEW DECIDE ON YOUR ANGLE

THESIS STATEMENT

•  A one- or two-sentence condensation of the essay’s argument

•  A statement that you can prove with evidence

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT WILL •  Express one main idea •  Be specific •  Assert your argument or

put forth a hypothesis •  Be contentious •  Be the result of your critical

thinking after you have researched

Example 1: “The aim of this paper is to indicate the role of details as generators, a role traditionally ascribed to the plan, and to show that technology, with its double-faced presence of ‘techne of logos’ and ‘logos of techne’ is the basis for the understanding of details.” Marco Frascari. “The Tell-the-Tale Detail”

Example 2: “This essay examines the mobilization of “The Great Wave” to promote and sell mass-produced goods in the first decade of the twenty-first century, throwing light on the ways that this highly adaptive graphic design can mediate between the local and the global without necessarily referencing Japanese tradition.” Christine M. E. Guth. “The Local and the Global: Hokusai’s Great Wave in Contemporary Product Design”

Your thesis statement will be the main idea that guides you (and your reader) through your essay.

During the writing process, revise it as needed to make your focus clearer as your ideas develop.

INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION •  Interest-catcher •  Background/context •  Thesis statement

PARAGRAPH 1: FIRST KEY POINT 1. Supporting idea

a. Existing theory/quote b. Analysis

2. Case study a. Description b. Analysis

PARAGRAPH 2: SECOND KEY POINT 1. Supporting idea

a. Existing theory/quote b. Analysis

2. Case study a. Description b. Analysis

PARAGRAPH 3: THIRD KEY POINT 1. Supporting idea

a. Existing theory/quote b. Analysis

2. Case study a. Description b. Analysis

III. CONCLUSION 1.Synthesis of your argument (not a summary) 2. Insight on your topic (why it matters)

STRUCTURE OF THE ESSAY

I.  Introduction

A.  Interest-catcher B.  Background/context C.  Thesis statement

II.  Body

A.  First key point (Topic Sentence) 1.  Supporting idea

a.  Existing theory/ quote

b.  Analysis c.  Example

2.  Second supporting idea or case study

a.  Description b.  Analysis

B.  Second key point (Topic Sentence) 1.  Supporting idea 2.  Second supporting idea or

case study C.  Third key point (Topic Sentence)

1.  Supporting idea 2.  Second supporting idea or

case study III.  Conclusion

CREATE A DETAILED OUTLINE

Determine the key points which will define your argument. Organize your key points & supporting evidence into a logical, linear argument. Identify connections between parts of your argument which may serve as transitions from one point to the next. The more detailed the outline, the easier the actual writing will be. Tip: When writing, be sure each paragraph begins with a Topic Sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph. And end each paragraph with a sentence that helps connect that paragraph’s main idea to your thesis.

•  Historical background

•  Quotes

•  Case studies

•  Visual references

•  Supporting

theories

•  Definitions of key terms

RESEARCH FINDINGS = SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Interpret

Compare & contrast

Illustrate

Analyze

Criticize

Define

USEFUL TOOLS TO CREATE DISCOURSE

Describe

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Fetell, I. (2012) Vibrating color: Jim Lambie . [image online] Available at: http://aestheticsofjoy.com/2012/07/vibrating-color-jim-lambie/ [Accessed: 30 Aug 2012].

Humphrey , T. (2012) Maddie on Things. [image online] Available at: http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/post/26709214815/maddieonthings-baker-city-or [Accessed: 10 Sept

2012].

Indiana.edu (2008) Thesis Statements. [online] Available at: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml [Accessed: 31 Aug 2012].

Ito, N. (2012) Untitled. [image online] Available at: http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/post/27577234305/naoko-ito [Accessed: 10 Sept 2012].

Kleon, A. (2012) Poem for My Mother. [image online] Available at: http://www.austinkleon.com/category/newspaper-blackout-poems/ [Accessed: 30 Aug 2012].

Kruithof, A. (2012) Untitled. [image online] Available at: http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/post/5328383494/submission-anouk-kruithof-ed-love-this [Accessed: 10 Sept 2012].

Nadler, E. (2004) The Erasamoid Contrapticle. [image online] Available at: http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/post/6758830948/one-of-ellis-nadlers-lists-of-items-required-for

[Accessed: 10 Sept 2012].

Stephenson, D. (2012) Heavenly Vaults. [image online] Available at: http://aestheticsofjoy.com/2011/01/transcendental-aesthetics/ [Accessed: 30 Aug 2012].

Yanko Design (2011) Untitled. [image online] Available at: http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/post/11103677019/from-yanko-design [Accessed: 10 Sept 2012].